History VideoGame / RocketKnightAdventures

''Rocket Knight Adventures'' is a side-scrolling action platform game series by {{Creator/Konami}} with diverse and distinctive gameplay mechanics such as short-range jetting in eight directions (including ricocheting off walls and around corners), charged attacks, swordplay, the occasional bit of [[ShootEmUp shmup-style]] sustained flight, and [[HumongousMecha much]] [[FightingGame much]] [[MinecartMadness more]]. The original game, on the [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]], spawned two more games: ''Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2'', a sequel also on the Mega Drive, and ''Sparkster'', a game on the SNES which takes place in an alternate continuity. The series may owe its existence to the [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]] series, which put FunnyAnimal mascots in vogue and likely influenced the series's art style.

On January 2024, Konami and Limited Run Games announced a CompilationRerelease titled ''Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Collection'' for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/PlayStation5, UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and PC. This collection will include both the first two games for the Genesis and the SNES game running on the Carbon Engine, and it will include a new animated intro, several quality of life improvements, a BossRush and more.

* ArtisticLicenseSpace: [[BatmanCanBreatheInSpace Sparkster can breathe in space]]: Can't even be handwaved because the pig troopers and Axel Gear wear spacesuits when fought in space. For what it's worth, Sparkster did have some kind of spell cast on him by the princess...

* {{BFG}}: Axel Gear comes at you with one in Stage Six of the original game. Also doubles as a WaveMotionGun.

* CallToAgriculture: Apparently what Sparkster was doing in those 15 years before the 2010 game. Even got himself a family.

** SuddenlyVoiced: The cameo in ''Mitsumete Knight'' is the only instance where Sparkster has a voice actor, courtesy of Creator/KazuyaNakai.

* DarkIsEvil: Axel Gear's armor is dark and he is ''definitely'' evil.

* DidntNeedThoseAnyway: Four bosses in ''RKA'': After enough damage, Pig Tank loses its treads, Pig Train loses its cannon and arms, Pig Crab can lose its claws, and Pig Battleship loses its turrets, lower jaw, and main body.

* TheDragon: Axel Gear, to whoever the current BigBad is.
** TheStarscream: The manual of the first game states that he wants to overthrow Devilgus and take over once he's out of the picture.
* DrivenByEnvy: [[spoiler:Sparkster's promotion to leader of the Rocket Knights is what fuels Axel Gear's jealousy.]]

* EyeBeams: Used by some bosses.

* GlacierWaif: Sparkster and Axel Gear.

* GoofyPrintUnderwear: Most non-robotic {{Mooks}} are reduced to this when you "kill" them in RKA: Their armor falls off and reveals their underwear in a manner strongly reminiscent of ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins'', and they run or fall off the screen with an embarrassed look on their face. Does not apply to the lizards in RKA2, brought back (though with briefs) for the wolves in ''Sparkster'', and applies to the pigs but not the wolves in ''Rocket Knight''.

* HarderThanHard: The Japanese and European versions of ''RKA'' and all versions of ''Sparkster'' contain difficulties called "Very Hard" and "Crazy Hard". As noted in DifficultyByRegion above, the US version of ''RKA'' made the equivalents Normal and Hard. Crazy Hard turns ''everything'' into a OneHitKill and forces you to start with one life and no continues, which puts even the ''Contra'' games into "baby difficult" territory in comparison.

* TheHero: Sparkster, of course.

* HumanCannonball: Not being enough launching yourself with a jetpack in the seventh level of Sparkster (SNES) you are shot into space with a cannon.

* {{Jerkass}}: Axel Gear, no doubt about it.

* SpikeBallsOfDoom: Sometimes bosses and minibosses carry them.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* KingKoopaCopy:
** In the original game, Emperor Devligus Devotindos is the leader of the [[PigMan pig-like]] Devotindos Empire. He is a large pig who has sharp teeth and claws, and wears a black cape, pants, and spiked shoulder pads, while his minions usually have [[GreenAndMean green armor and vehicles]]. He has also hired Sparkster's arch-rival and EvilCounterpart, Axel Gear, to kidnap Princess Sherry and retrieve the key to the seal to unseal his ultimate weapon of destruction, the Pig Star. [[spoiler:In the battle against him, [[RoboticReveal he is revealed to be a Terminator-like robot]], and one of many such robots stocked aboard the Pig Star.]]
** In the sequel, ''Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2'', King Gedol is the leader of the lizard-like Gedol Empire. He is a large green lizard who has long horns, sharp teeth and claws, uses spells and summons during the battle against him, and his minions wear [[PurpleIsPowerful purple armor]], like Axel Gear. He has also hired Axel Gear to capture Princess Sherry's cousin, Princess Cherry, and seek out the seven [[BonusStageCollectibles Keys to the Seal]].

** [[spoiler:In the Golden Sparkster ending from the Climax Studios game, Bill Rizer shoots at Sparkster, proclaiming revenge. This acts as a continuation of the ''Contra: Shattered Soldier'' ending with the Sparkster cameo.]]